Baling block



March 31, 1930. r. GRAY BALING BLOCK Filed Jan. 28, 1929 INVENTOR v MW /fia ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 11, 1930 PATENT OFFICE THOMAS GRAY, OF LYNDON, KANSAS BALING BLOCK Application filed January 28, 1929. Serial No. 335,425.

My invention relates to improvements in baling blocks, such as are used in baling machines for compressing hay, straw or the like.

6 One of the objects of my invention is to provide a novel baling block, having wire receiving grooves in its outer sides, which comprises an upper and lower member pivoted together on a horizontal axis, and in 10 which the upper member is normally held alined with the lower member, but which may swing laterally under pressure to avoid breaking of the block, and which has yielding means for retracting the upper member to and holding it in the alined posit-ion after the pressure thereon has been removed.

A further object of my invention is to pro vide a novel baling block, which is simple strong, durable, cheap to make, which is relatively light, and which is easy and convenient to handle.

The novel featuresof my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illushates the preferred embodiment of my invention, and a modification thereof,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of my improved baling block.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the block shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.4c of Fig. 5, showing a modification of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation of the block shown in Fig. 4:.

Similar reference characters designate similar parts in the different views.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the lower member of the block comprises, as shown, three Vertical spaced bars, which may be wood, the side bars being designated by 1 and the middle bar by 2.

Two transverse metal plates 3 are fastened respectively to opposite sides of the bars 1 and 2 adjacent to the lower ends thereof, the inner side of each of said plates having a longitudinal tubular portion l which forms in the outer side of the plate a longitudinal groove 5 adapted to receive a baling wire and being restricted in width at its mouth, so as to securely retain the wire therein. Said tubular portion is fitted in a transverse groove provided in the adjacent side'of each bar 1 and 2'.

The upper member of the block comprises three vertical spaced bars 6 which respectively rest at their lower ends on .the upper ends of the bars 1 and 2, and which'are adapted to swing laterally to and from positions alined with the bars 1 and 2.

Fastened to opposite sides respectively of the bars 6 are two transverse plates 7 corresponding in form and dimensions to the plates 3, and which are each provided with a tubular portion 4 having in'it a longitudinal groove 5 having a restricted mouth, said portions 4 being mounted in grooves provided therefor in theadjacent sides of the bars 6.

The lower edges of the plates 7 are adapted to rest on the shanks of nails 8 at the inner sides of the heads thereof, said nails being mounted in opposite sides of the side bars 1 of the lower member, and said plates 7 overlapping respectively opposite sides of the bars 1 and 2.

The upper member is adapted to swing laterally on the nails 8 from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. It is also adapted to swing to a like position in the opposite direction from the alined position.

The heads of the nails 8 hold the upper member from lateral sliding when the member is tilted. I

For retracting the upper member to and yieldingly holding it in the alined position resilient means are employed comprising, as shown, two vertical coil springs 9, which are disposed intermediate of the sides of the upper and lower members, and at opposite sides respectively of the middle bars 2 and 6.

An inverted U shaped plate 10 is fastened over the upper end and to the middle bar 6 5 of the upper member, the lower end of each arm having an outwardly extending hook 11, said hooks being disposed between the sides of the plates 7 The springs 9 are each pro- Vided at its upper end with a hook 12,-said hooks 12 being respectively mounted releasably on the hooks 11.

The lower end of each spring 9 is provided with a hook 13, said hooks 13 being respectively inserted through the eyes 14 at the upper ends of two vertical threaded bolts 15, which are respectively slidably mounted in two holes provided therefor in the outwardly extending horizontal end portions 16 of a U shaped plate 17 which is mounted on and fastened to the lower end of the bar 2 of the lower member, said portions 16 being disposed between the sides of the plates 3.

Respectively mounted on the bolts 15 and respectively bearing against the under sides of the portions 16 are two nuts 18, by the adjustment of which on the bolts 15, the tension of the springs 9 may be adjusted.

The blocks are used in the usual manner, either side forward. The springs 9 normally retain the upper member in the alined position, shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, the wires, not shown, being threaded through the grooves 5 at the side of the block which is next to the plunger of the machine.

In the baling operation, if an excess pressure occurs, for any cause, againstthe forward side of the upper member, the latter will be swung rearwardly from the alined position toward the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus eliminating liability of breaking the block. W hen the pressure is relieved, the springs 9 retract the upper memher to the alined position.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the block comprises an upper member and a lower member on which the upper member is pivoted to swing laterally from an alined position therewith.

The lower member comprises two vertical edge boards 19 and a middle vertical board 20 spaced therefrom. Transverse horizontal boards 21 are fastened to opposite sides of the boards 19 and 20.

A vertically corrugated plate 22 is fastened to the lower ends of the boards 19 and 20.

The upper member of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, comprises two vertical edge boards 23, the lower ends of which pivotally rest on the upper ends of the boards 19, and a vertical middle board 24L spaced from the boards 23 and pivotally resting on its lower end on the upper end of the board 20.

Horizontal boards 25 are fastened to opposite sides of the boards 23 and 21 Grooved plates 9, similar to those already described are fastened two to opposite sides respectively of the upper member.

A horizontal bar 26 extends through the boards 23 and 24, and has mounted on it at opposite sides respectively of the heart 2% and between the boards 25, the upper ends of two coil springs 27, the lower ends of which are respectively fastened to the upper ends of two vertical bolts 28, which are vertically adjustable in holes provided in the corrugated plate 22, at opposite sides respectively of the board 20. The bolts 28 have respectively on them nuts 29 which bear against the under side of the plate 22.

By adjusting the nuts 29, the tension of the springs 27 may be varied.

As in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3, opposite sides of each member of the block shown in Figs. 4 and 5 have respectively fastened to them, in the manner previously described, two transverse plates 7 each having a tubular portion 4 having a longitudinal groove 5 provided with a restricted mouth and adapted to receive a baling wire.

For strengthening the upper member it has mounted on its upper edge the transverse portion of a U shaped member 30, the arms of which embrace opposite sides of the mem her.

As in the first described form of my invention, the upper member of the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is tiltably mounted at its.

lower edge on the upper edge of the lower member, so that undue pressure at its forward side will cause it to swing laterally rearwardly, and the springs 27 retract it to the alined position after the pressure is relieved.

I do not limit my invention to the structures shown and described, as other modificatiens than the one shown may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

V'Jhat 1 claim is 1. A baling block comprising a lower member, an upper member pivotally mounted thereon so as to swing laterally to and from a position alined therewith, said members having each on each side a transverse wire receiving groove, and means including a. spring connecting said members by which said upper member is retracted to and yieldingly held in the alined position.

2. A baling block comprising a lower memher, an upper member pivotally mounted on its lower edge on the upper edge of said lower member and having at opposite sides respectively two transversely disposed plates each having in its outer side a longitudinal wire receiving groove, said plates respectively overlapping opposite sides of the lowor member, and means including a spring connecting said members by which said upper member is retracted to and yieldingly held in a position alined with the lower member on which the upper member is adapted to swing laterally.

3. A baling block comprising a lower member, an upper member pivoted at its lower edge on the'upper edge of the lower memher so as to swing laterally to and from a position alined with the lower member, said members having each in opposite sides transverse wire receiving grooves, and means in-.

cluding a spring connecting said members by which said upper member is retracted to and yieldingly held in the alined position, said means having means for varying the tension of said spring. 7

4. A baling block comprising a lower member having a fastening plate provided with a vertical hole therethrough, an upper member pivoted at its lower edge to the upper edge of said lower member so as to swing laterally to and from a position alined with said lower member, a spring fastened at its upper end to said upper member, a bolt to which the lower end of said spring is fastened vertically slidable in said hole, and a nut on said bolt bearing on the lower side of said plate, the tension of said spring normally swinging said upper member to the alined position.

5. A baling block comprising a lower member having a fastening plate provided with a vertical hole therethrough, an upper member pivoted at itslower edge on the upper edge of said lower member so as to swing laterally to and from a position alined with the lower member, said upper member having two transverse plates at opposite sides respectively of and overlapping said lowermember, said two plates each having in its outer side a longitudinal wire receiving groove, a spring fastened at its upper end to said upper member, a bolt to which the other end of the spring is fastened sliclable in said hole, and a nut on said bolt bearing against the under side of said plate having said hole, the tension of said spring normally swinging said upper member to the alined position.

6. A baling block comprising a lower member, an upper member pivoted to the lower member so as to swing laterally thereon to and from a position alined with the lower member, said members eachhaving in opposite sides respectively two wire receiving transverse grooves, and resilient means connect ing said members intermediate of their sides by which the upper member is retracted to and yieldingly held in said alined position.

7. A baling block comprising a lower member, an upper member pivoted to the lower member so as to swing laterally to and from a position alined with said lower member, and two coil springs fastened at their upper ends to said upper member intermediate of the sides thereof, and at opposite sides respectively of the middle transverse portion thereof, and fastened at their lower ends to said lower member at opposite sides respectively of the middle transverse portion thereof and disposed intermediate of the sides of said lower member, said members each having in opposite sides thereof transverse grooves in its outer side for receiving wires.

8. A baling block comprising a lower member, an upper member pivoted to the lower member so as to swing laterally to and from a position alined with said lower member, each of said members having in opposite sides respectively wire receiving transverse grooves, two coil: springs fastened at their upper ends to said upper member at opposite sides respectively of the middle portion thereof and intermediate of the sides thereof, and adjustable means for fastening the lower ends of said springs to said lower member at opposite sides of the middle portion thereof and intermediate of the sides of said lower member by which the tension of said springs may be adjusted.

9. A baling block comprising a lower member having in each side a transverse wire receiving groove, an upper member pivoted to swing laterally on said lower member to and from a position alined with said lower member and having at opposite sides respectively two transverse plates which respectively overlap said lower member, each of said plates having in its outer side a longitudinal wire receiving groove, and means including a coil spring disposed intermediate of the sides of said members for retracting said upper member to and holding it yieldingly in said alined position.

10. A baling block comprising a lower member having in each side a transverse wire receiving groove, an upper member pivoted to swing laterally on said lower member to and from a position alined with said lower member and having at opposite sides respectively two transverse plates which respectively overlap the sides of said lower member, each of said plates having a longitudinal wire receiving groove in its outer side, and means including two coil springs disposed intermediate of the sides of said members, and disposed respectively at opposite sides of the middle of said members and arranged to retract the upper member to and hold it alined with said lower member.

11. A baling block comprising a lower member having in each side a transverse wire receiving groove, an upper member pivoted to swing laterally to and from a position alined with said lower member and having at opposite sides respectively two transverse plates which respectively overlap the sides of said lower member and each having in its outer side a longitudinal wire receiving groove, a coil spring fastened at its upper end to said upper member intermediate of the sides of the latter, and means for adjusting the tension of said" spring and for fastening the lower end of said spring to said lower member intermediate the sides thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

THOMAS GRAY. 

